Microsoft Set to Restructure 343 Industries, Halo Infinite’s Lead Bonnie Ross Steps Down

Halo developers 343 Industries could be on the path to delivering the biggest Halo title to date, but that’s not the case. The recent Halo Infinite updates haven’t really been a hit with the fans. Instead, they’ve been a hot topic of controversy in the fandom. So what’s all the buzz about? Let’s find out.

Microsoft to Restructure 343 as Halo Infinite Lead Bonnie Ross Steps Down

Last week, the company announced the cancellation of the local co-op in an official capacity. And if you thought that was a shocker, there’s more. Apparently, the developers are also removing speedrun strategies.

But there’s some good news as well. They’re adding Forge after over a year of development. Previous titles in the franchise came with the feature already packaged in. Back to grim news, the team behind the game we all know and love will be bidding farewell to its studio head.

Bonnie Ross, who’s been at the studio for fifteen years, has rendered her services to titles like Alan Wake, Gears of War, and third-party publishing on Mass Effect. Concerning the Halo series itself, you’ll find Bonnie’s touch on Halo Reach, Halo Anniversary, Halo Wars 2, and Halo 3: ODST – just to name a few.

As for why she’s leaving Halo studios, well she’s got some family issues to deal with. As per her tweet, Ross was planning to stay with 343 until the Forge updates were released in the Winter of 2022, but because of these reasons, her plans have changed.

Following Ross’ exit from the studio, the management at 343 Industries will be seeing some restructuring. The heads at Microsoft split Ross’s role into three specific parts to help with the franchise’s online presence.

After more than 28 years in gaming at Microsoft, including 15 years leading 343 Industries and Halo through its most ambitious steps forward, Bonnie Ross will be leaving Microsoft and spending more time with her family. We are thankful for her leadership of 343 during which the team launched Halo 4, Halo 5, Halo: The Master Chief Collection, the Halo television series, and Halo Infinite. We wish her all the best. Head of Production Pierre Hintze will become Studio Head effective immediately. The 343 team is hard at work shipping the Winter Update, the biggest Halo Infinite update since launch.

We’re talking about the Paramount+ TV show and other projects in different parts of the media. Taking Ross’ place is production lead, Pierre Hintze. He’s taking charge of the ongoing development of Halo Infinite.

The responsibility of future titles like the Master Chief Collection will also fall in his lap. On that note, Bryan Koski is going to be the GM of Franchise and Van Wyck will be overseeing business and operations.

Hopefully, with this change of management Halo Infinite will see better days. You can currently play the game on Xbox Series S|X, Xbox One, and Windows PC via Steam.

So, what do you think will happen to the Halo franchise and the future of Halo Infinite now that Bonnie Ross has stepped down? Will this affect the franchise in any way in addition to the restructuring plan being followed by Microsoft? Let us know in the comments below. We upload daily on Appuals, so stay tuned for more. Till then, see you later and goodbye!